Ducks trying to set their forward lines

LOS ANGELES – Two games remain in the preseason and it is time for the Ducks to step up their chemistry lesson.

With the official training camp roster now down to 30 players, the Ducks can start to focus a bit more on finding the right line combinations as they head toward their season opener next week in Detroit.

More work will be needed as the Kings jumped on the Ducks for four first-period goals in a exhibition rout Tuesday night at Staples Center.

Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said that he's still trying different trios and that he'll use the two games as a final evaluation period. On Tuesday, Carlyle did indicate that Matt Beleskey will start with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry on the top line.

A potential third line was tested out against the Kings as Saku Koivu centered Jason Blake and Dan Sexton for a time. But Carlyle started moving some pieces around as the Ducks fell further behind.

"We'd all like to see that chemistry develop to a point where we're very comfortable," Carlyle said, speaking generally about line combos. "I think there's some things that have been happening and I think there's some things we'd like to see improved on.

"If it works it's fine. If it doesn't work, then it's back to the drawing board."

The Ducks still have 16 available forwards in camp and Carlyle called it a good thing to have as he evaluates personnel.

"With the number of forwards that we feel can play in those groupings, we feel it's a good thing for us," he said. "It's not a bad thing. Those decisions that you're trying to make are ones we hope and feel are from a position to strength."

Bobby Ryan has been a big part of the experimenting that Carlyle has done so far in the preseason as meshing with Teemu Selanne and finding a left wing to complement the new second line has been the new center's immediate goal.

Ryan said the process is still evolving. The games Friday against Vancouver and Sunday against the Kings will be opportunities to get on the same page with Selanne.

The two had success as linemates for a brief time midway through last season but they were both wings with Koivu centering them. Now Ryan is the center.

"The rest of the way for me is trying to kind of figure him out a little bit from a different standpoint," Ryan said. 'We've had chemistry in the past and we've connected. I don't see any reason why we shouldn't."

LYDMAN STILL OUT

Carlyle said that nothing has changed with Toni Lydman in terms of being cleared to practice with the team and added that the defenseman is "a long ways off" when it comes to getting into action.

It likely means Lydman won't be ready for the season opener and could be out for a somewhat lengthy period.

Lydman was at Honda Center and continues to work out off ice but he has yet to gain clearance from the medical staff following his acute episode of double vision on Sept. 8 while having lunch. According to the team, the source of that episode has yet to be found.

"There's really no update until medial clearance is given," Carlyle said before Tuesday's game. "He's basically not available to us. It's tough on us and on him at this point.

"We expect the player to be part of our lineup and now we don't have him available."

FAMILIAR FACE

Scott Niedermayer took in the game in one of his first public outings since taking on his consultant role with the team following his retirement. Niedermayer did attend the rookie camp up in Penticton, B.C. near his home in Cranbrook.